is your kid "normal"?

No?  Neither are mine!  As a baby my son was at least one size above his age.  He still is!  My daughter wears the "right" size, but is way too skinny for most pants.  One of my sizing issues is that my torso is too long for most clothes.  All of this to say, I'm glad I can sew!  And I am very glad that I have started delving into alterations and pattern making.

This dress was made for an eight year old daughter of a friend of mine.  She is a plus size girl caught between shopping for her styles which are never big enough, and clothes that fit but are more her mom's style!  She has been stuck wearing a lot of knit clothes that never quite fit her - or pants that were way too long!!!

So I gave it my best shot.  Using this e-book, my calculator, measuring tape, and pattern curve I set to work.  She came over one day for measurements - then we went fabric shopping.  Didn't she pick some cute buttons to go with this adorable embroidered purple gingham satin?

She loved the picture of Natalie's Dress from Dawn of Olabelhe Designs, so we used that as our inspiration.  I changed the neckline and straps for a little different coverage.  I made a muslin mock-up of the bodice to double check fit before I cut into the fancy stuff.  I'm so glad I added that extra step because it did need a few little changes, and gave me confidence to move ahead.

Here's a little peek at the muslin underskirt.  I bunched the tulle up along the bottom to make a crinoline layer.

I'm excited about this dress for so many reasons.  I definitely learned a lot in the process of pattern creating and altering!  I enjoy working closely with a customer for a unique dress (of course)!  But I also loved that the girl felt a part of the process and was excited about clothes shopping!  I hope it gives her all the happiness a little girl dressed in her Easter Sunday best deserves!!!!

{I linked up over at Creative Itch too.}